The good news just keeps on coming out of Knott's Berry Farm, where the new General Manager is pushing major park beautification projects. Disneyland is absolutely bursting with Spring renewal and Disney California Adventure's Buena Vista Street races to the June 15th finish date. We also dive down to San Diego's SeaWorld, coast up to Magic Mountain and have a quick take at Universal Studios to see what all the big parks are preparing for Summer. Lots to cover in this SIX PARK UPDATE today . . . Yes, it was a busy week for us, but we think you'll enjoy what you see . . .

Before we get to Anaheim's Disneyland, let's take a quick detour to its gorgeous sister in Paris. We are so proud to be working with the author of one of the most collectible Disney theme park books of all time, Disneyland Paris: From Sketch to Reality, to bring you some very special news. The book has been out of print for years and selling for over $1,000, but we've arranged to bring it back for a limited time at the original price.

MATTERHORN:The first glimpses of the resurfacing and paint job are showing through the scaffold covered Matterhorn. The iconic roller coaster is getting a top-to-bottom refurbishment that caps off a multi-year plan to bring the mountain up to modern standards. The finish date is targeted at June 15th, just as California Adventure across the way launches Cars Land and Buena Vista Street.

The screens have been removed from the tip top of the mountain, revealing a starker contrast in the paint job.

Here is a look at the new surface of the Matterhorn sans paint.

SPRINGING:One of the most impressive things about Disneyland is the landscaping and horticulture and Spring is the best time to see it on display. Get to the park within the next few weeks for an amazing display of colorful spring flora.

MARK TWAIN:While the Sailing Ship Columbia has returned to the Rivers of America, the Mark Twain has gone into refurbishment. It is scheduled to return next week.

THIS AND THAT:In a strange occurrence over at Splash Mountain, there was a HUGE back up at the Fast Pass entrance the other day. We aren't sure what was gong on here, but it got us wondering about the current state of the FASTPASS system. Specifically, guests saving FASTPASS tickets throughout the day and then using them all well past their valid window.

The existing policy for Fast Pass return times is that while the reservation window assigned is strongly suggested, guests are free to return any time during or after the return time. Recently, Walt Disney World announced plans to begin enforcing strict return time rules and do away with the current, more flexible way of doing things.

While enforcement of the rule seems to make sense in moderating the flow of the FASTPASS crowds, the parks have long allowed more flexibility due to guest confusion, restaurant reservations, frequent ride breakdowns and protecting cast members from becoming gatekeepers (and thus generating guest hostility).

We're not sure what the best FASTPASS solution would be. On the one hand, keeping FASTPASS queues from filling up with folks in the afternoons by enforcing times would be great. But on the other, we don't want to see guests or cast members placed into a position of hostility or confrontation, which a change in the policy would create (as it did in the very beginning of FASTPASS in the Pressler era). What do you folks think should be done? Do the parks even need FASTPASS?

Your Fast Pass return time is now, your ride time is in 30 minutes. Lots of unhappy guests.

The exterior, upper level queue of the Jungle Cruise
is being re-thatched.

It is still Winter at the Big Thunder Barbecue - but they will soon be moving into spring with the rest of the resort.

Sara's back with a new MiceChatter video on the MiceTube. She's excited about next week's One More Disney Day and California Adventure's rapid progress.

The location is Disney California Adventure. The date is June 15th. The event is the multi-billion dollar re-invention of a misguided theme park. Will you be there? Come to think of it, will the projects be ready? Let's take a look . . .

BUENA VISTA STREET:It seems that mother nature is smiling on Buena Vista Street and hasn't delayed construction of this new entrance with too much rain this winter. The best case scenario has shined on DCA. Things are on track to open in just 3 and a half months, while many of the stores and restaurants may not be 100% ready on opening day, things should like great on the outside.

The entrance of Buena Vista Street

The red car trolley track and street are clearly discernible now as is the park-like area to the left.

Cement pillars and foundations for the park are in place to the left.

The Carthay Circle theater in the sun. We think that camera is just to record a construction time-lapse.

GRIZZLY RIVER RAPIDS:Grizzly River Run remains down for a substantial refurbishment. It is not scheduled to return until Saturday, March 10th. This area is slated to get more naturalistic theming as DCA approaches its relaunch.

The exterior of the Rushin' River gift shop is receiving
a treatment as well.

The overflow reservoir for Grizzly, near Pacific Wharf, is completely drained and the bridge is getting attention too.

PARADE ROUTE REPAVING:The re-paving project in front of Little Mermaid has finally wrapped up after weeks of work. Here's what it looked like all week, but the walls are gone as of today.

GHIRARDELLI:The walls are up at Ghirardelli and now they feature concept art of what the anticipated restaurant will look like.

BLUE SKY CELLAR:Blue Sky Cellar is closed until February 29th to install what will be the last exhibit before the park's multi-year redo is complete. When it reopens, we'll be able to see concept art and models from Cars Land.

ICE CREAM STAND:While we are surprised that the Ice Cream stand in Paradise Pier is still as popular as it is without the variety of flavors it sported when it first opened, we are even more confused as to why people would wait in a line this long for it.

A good 30 minutes for an ice cream. Granted, the main ice cream shop in the old entry plaza has long been closed for Buena Vista Street construction. What can we say? Folks like ice cream!

CARS LAND:Here are the latest shots from Radiator Springs along with the latest concept art released by Disney.

Sarge's Surplus

Radiator Springs Curios.

Ramone's House of Body Art

The courthouse.
No more scaffolds inside.

The entrance into Cars Land from Pacific Wharf.

How Cars Land looks from Paradise Pier.

Cozy Cones and the entrance from Bug's Land in the background.

You can barely see Mater's now for all of the trees. Also, take a good look at the Tough to be a Bug mural. It is slated for a retheme.

We had a berry good time at Knott's this week, and have lots of good news to report. There are still a few days left to take advantage of the "Two-gether is Better" deal offered by the park. It's a great time to visit the park because everything is operational and back from refurbishment.

WISTERIA:If you do make it to the park, stop by and pay respects to the remaining parts of the original entrance into Ghost Town at the wisteria arbor. It will be in bloom for the next week or so and is absolutely beautiful.

BIG FOOT RAPIDS:Bigfoot Rapids has re-opened after a short refurb that allowed for the clearing of a lot of the underbrush along the flume route. All seems bare right now but will look great in the Summer.

Still no waterfalls though. Bummer.

CHARLESTON CIRCLE:A lovely, quiet part of the park has fully returned from refurbishment and looks wonderful. Charleston Circle is now fully restored and sparkles. The fountain is flowing, the trees and flowers are planted and new furniture is in place. We still think this spot is just screaming for a little coffee cart nearby, to grab a latte and enjoy some people watching.

PERILOUS PLUNGE:Perilous Plunge is open right now, but will strangely be going down for refurbishment during the hotter days of the Summer. Weird. When questioned about this recently, General Manager Raffi Karprelyan quipped, "We have a sense of humor."

TIMBER MOUNTAIN LOG RIDE:The Timber Mountain Log ride returned this past weekend. While there is little that is visibly different on the ride, the mechanics behind it have been lovingly cared for. Both lift hills have been reworked and portions of the scenery along the flume have been rebuilt.

A nice new belt for the lift hills.

The scenery has been cleaned but not updated.

This awning has been rebuilt.

The water gag is still not working though.

We hope that these trees can soon be replaced too.

Still one of the best log rides anywhere!

IMPROVEMENTS:
We are continually impressed with the major and minor refurbishments taking place rapidly around the Knott's Berry Farm property.

The Knott's Marketplace drive is receiving fully curbed planters and more defined parking along the route.

Here is a finished planter.

Again, this isn't the biggest news, but it is such a wonderful sign.

Inside the park, huge planters have been built along the stage coach route, behind the Log Ride.

Deadwood Dick's grave now features real flowers. This is a Disney-style touch that has us tickled pink.

At the entrance of Mystery lodge, they have rebuilt the railing, and have now begun a full refurbishment of the pond as well.

All emptied out. The Koi are in a safe holding pond.

Soon the old moonlight effects and waterfalls will return to this area.

STREETMOSPERE:We were even happy to see more action on the streets out in Ghost Town. This time, there was a gunfight in front of the Blacksmith shop. The Blacksmith claimed to be able to catch bullets with a pair of tongs and the back and forth between the actors was hysterical.

The actor kept going in and out of the Blacksmith shop integrating the surroundings into the act. Great stuff.

They even asked a volunteer to help catch a bullet.

Then they chased the bad guy out of town with guns blazing.

The bad guy later joked around with some kids.

THE GHOST TOWN PLAY LIST:But, with all of the good, there is of course the issue of the incongruous music being blasted throughout Ghost Town. The idea behind it is to fill the park with peppy, upbeat music. The problem is that, in our opinion, the music is such a wrong fit for this historically themed area, that it nearly ruins the greater experience.

As long as they continue to play music which doesn't match the theme of Ghost Town, we'll be right here to report what we heard on our last visit. Let us know, does this play list work for you?

KNOTT'S HALLOWEEN HAUNT:The first news about this year's Knott's Halloween Haunt was broken last week at a presentation that was given to a group of fans at the West Coast Bash event organized by our friends at Theme Park Review and Knott's Berry Farm.

Maze Designer Brooke Walters took the stage and introduced the crowd to one of the new mazes for 2012.

They plan to bring back the beautiful maze, Dominion of the Dead.

Concept art indicates that the location will be at the site of last year's Lockdown maze

Some of the vampires for the maze.

Does this mean that the 40th Anniversary of Haunt will be a mix of new mazes and returning favorites? This sounds like an interesting idea and one that we could definitely get behind if it is executed with a high level of production.

Aside from Dominion we also know that Dia De Los Muertos is coming back too with a few tweaks according to Brooke.

But now for some possibly very bad news. Knott's has always been a unique haunt venue. For one, it was the first theme park to host a haunt. Second, it was unique in that they haunted the dark rides that were in the park along with building haunted walk through mazes.

Over the years it has become more and more difficult to come up with concepts that fit into the Log Ride and Mine Train, much less make them effectively scary. Consequently, they have decided that both of those classic rides will NOT be billed as haunted attractions this year. There will apparently be haunted elements in them, but nothing else. What do all of you haunt fans have to say about it? This is not too great of an idea in our eyes. But again, until we see it, there is no way to form an opinion. It's just unfortunate that Knott's is beaking tradition like this, especially during their 40th anniversary year. Haunt started in the Mine Train and Log Ride. Don't you think they could have waited one more year before removing them from the lineup? Your thoughts?

UPPER LOT:
A new window display has appeared in the Travel Agency on Baker Street. The display is themed to Switzerland. Now that the Matterhorn is closed for refurb at DL, you can head over to USH to see a smaller version complete with a working skyway.

STUDIO TOUR:Most of the work walls are now down in the Studio Tour unload and queue areas. A brand new stroller parking area has opened.

The extended queue has also reopened. Half of it is being covered with the same awning the main queue is covered with.

The ODV location has been removed. It's a safe bet this will be the next area to go under the knife.

Over in Courthouse Square, the building that is normally a gas station is being turned into a drive through wedding chapel for an unknown production.

The boathouse at Jaws Lake/Cabot Cove is being rebuilt

The Chicken Ranch was being used for a commercial.

LOWER LOT:More walls have appeared in the Lower Lot in preparation for the May Transformers opening.

The Arcade is again getting some work done.

THE MUMMY:

The Return of the Mummy locker area is getting a touch up.

If you look closely, you can see a remnant of the old ET gift shop.

The entrance of RotM was repainted.

JURASSIC PARK:Work continues on the Jurassic Park queue.

TRANSFORMERS THE RIDE:The mounting brackets on the show building look like something is going to be put up soon.

Details are starting to go up in the queue area and the outside of the show building.

An employee was standing in front of the outermost wall answering questions.

Can't wait for Transformers summer!

SKYTOWER:
The SkyTower is still under refurbishment. On their Facebook, SeaWorld wrote that the SkyTower will be getting a new coat of paint. It reopened today to the public.

You can see some high flying painters in this shot.

CONSTRUCTION IN THE BAY:

OFF- SEASON FADES:

MANTA:The track for MANTA is now coming towards the front of the mega-attraction.

COCA-COLA INVADES SEA WORLD:As announced late last year, Coca-Cola has finally replaced Pepsi in all SeaWorld parks. As a HUGE Coke fan, I am quite thrilled about this. What about you? Coke vs. Pepsi in the parks?

THE LAST WORD:
Rocky Point Preserve (Dolphin Interaction Area) will reopen at the end of April with new enhancements. We should have a new update on that next week.

Spring Into Night is from March 31stth. Rehearsals for Shamu Rocks has been going on between shows.

LOG JAMMER:Log Jammer de-construction continued at a fever pace this past week. There isn't much of it left.

The pump-house is still standing.

An overview of the site

RESTAURANT:
They are also doing some work in the nearby Food Etc. The Ice Cream and Sushi sections are currently still open during renovation. What do you folks think about sushi in amusement parks. Can they be trusted to serve raw fish, or should they just stick to burgers and fries?

METRO:They have also removed the Metro track in the area, including the Metro Tunnel Station.

The Metro track removal extends all the way to the other end of Samurai Summit on the path between Gold Rusher and Superman.

RIDDLER'S REVENGE:One of Riddlers Revenge trains is in refurb, meaning the coaster is currently running only 1 train. Hopefully the park can get their 3rd train back from Six Flags Great Adventure before summer.

JET STREAM:Jet Stream is now closed for Rehab, since Log Jammer is now gone, there are currently no water rides open at SFMM (Tidal Wave and Roaring Rapids are also still closed until Spring)

The entire flume has been drained but no evident work could be seen. The ride was open 2 weeks ago so this is a pretty recent change.

THRILL SHOT:Thrill Shot is officially closed.

Considering it only took 4 days to remove, we must wonder why it took 3 years to get rid of it.

LEX LUTHOR DROP OF DOOM:Nothing has really changed near Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom other than some indication they are going to be doing some decoration on the walls. We did, however, get confirmation at West Coast Bash that the old Arcade will be the Queue building.

MAINTENANCE:Lastly, even though this restaurant is only used for private events, the poor upkeep is unacceptable.

FRIGHT FEST:
We are also hearing some rumblings about some MAJOR Fright Fest changes coming for the event's 20th year. We are hoping to have some updates on this soon.

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As an Arizona resident who doesn't get to go to DLR more than once every one to two years -

I vote for Fastpass to stay and remain as it is.

I remember what lines were like before fastpass. No thank you. It's not worth the ticket prices they are charging now to stand in huge lines and ride far fewer rides while surrounded by the crowd of local AP holders with their monthly payment plans.